Student Code of Conduct

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School and the Halton Catholic District School Board are dedicated to providing and enhancing a Catholic community of learning in which students will be afforded equal opportunities to achieve their potential in spiritual, moral, intellectual, physical, and social development. It is the expectation of the school and of the Board that students and parent will respond positively to this policy and act accordingly.

STUDENT RIGHTS

to be respected in both person and conscience as a child of God

to learn in a safe, orderly, and stimulating environment

to have appropriate access to the facilities and equipment of the school

to participate in appropriate programs offered by the school

to be instructed conscientiously by teaching staff

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

to develop personal skills and talents to serve God and thereby his/her neighbour

to contribute positively to the Catholic climate of the school

to respect the person and the rights of all members of the school community

to respect, obey, and co-operate with all adults in positions of responsibility in the school community

to comply with all school expectations and regulations respecting student behaviour

to use language that is appropriate to his/her dignity as a student in a Catholic school

to adhere to the school dress code

to respect the property of the school at all times: building, grounds, equipment, materials

to be in attendance and punctual at all classes and scheduled activities, with the materials required for full participation

to maintain a sense of responsibility toward all academic expectations including homework, assignments, regular review and test/examinations preparation

It is expected that students will accept the direction of all staff in matters of behaviour in the school, on school property, and during school activities. Students must report to the office when directed by staff members or risk further consequences and/or suspensions.

RANGE OF CONSEQUENCES

The Student Code of Conduct includes a clear outline of realistic and effective consequences for failure to meet expectations. Interventions, which are restorative in nature, are utilized to help students develop self-discipline will be administered to meet individual and school needs.

Parents, students, school staff and administrators are strongly encouraged to invest themselves in collaborative approaches to the resolution of the behaviour concerns.

The following are basic interventions and strategies that may be initiated by a teacher and/or administrator. This list is not inclusive nor does it imply that each consequence must be exercised before moving to subsequent consequences.

informal interview with the student;

verbal or written explanation of behaviour by the student;

formal interview with the student;

parental involvement: phone call, correspondence, interview;

involvement of school support staff;

peer counselling;

detention of student;

removal of student from the classroom to an alternate setting within the school with supervision;

referral to Student Services;

removal of privileges to attend school-related activities or programs;

suspension in accordance with the Education Act and Board Policy and Procedure;

expulsion in accordance with the Education Act and Board Policy and Procedure

Notwithstanding the above, the Principal and/or Vice-Principals will take immediate and appropriate action in any situation involving the welfare of students and staff.

KEEPING OUR STUDENTS SAFE AT SCHOOL

All board employees must report to the School Administration any student who may have engaged in a school activity which the student must be considered for suspension or expulsion.

The legislation continues Notre Dame’s efforts to make school safer for students and staff. For incidents that have a negative impact on school climate:

staff who work directly with students are required to respond

Principal/Vice Principal to contact the parent(s) of victims of these types of incidents

SUSPENSION OF STUDENTS

The School also supports the use of suspension and expulsion where a student has committed one or more of the infractions outlined below on school property, during school-related activity or event, and/or in circumstances where the infraction has an impact of the school climate. The infractions for which a suspension may be imposed include:

Uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person;

Possessing alcohol, illegal and/or restricted drugs;

Being under the influence of alcohol or restricted drugs;

Swearing at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority;

Committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property at the student’s school or to property located on the premises of the student’s school;

Bullying;

Any act considered by the principal to be injurious to the physical or mental well-being of members of the school community or;

Any act considered by the principal to be contrary to the Board or School Code of Conduct including but limited to the following:

Vehicle use – reckless or dangerous use of a vehicle e.g. car, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.

EXPLUSION OF STUDENTS

The School also supports the use of expulsion where a student has committed one or more of the infractions outlined below on school property, during a school-related activity or event, and/or in circumstances where the infraction has an impact on the school climate. The activities leading to suspension pending possible expulsion must be reported to the Principal. The activities include:

Possessing a weapon, including possessing a firearm;

Using a weapon to cause or to threaten bodily harm on to another person

Committing physical assault on another person that causes bodily harm requiring treatment by a medical practitioner;

Committing sexual assault;

Trafficking in weapons or illegal drugs;

Committing robbery;

Giving alcohol to a minor;

Threatening with a replica of a prohibited weapon;

A pattern of behaviour that is so inappropriate that the student’s continued presence is injurious to the effective learning and/or working environment of others;

Activities engaged in by the student on or off school property that cause the student’s continuing presence in the school to create an unacceptable risk to the physical or mental well-being of other person(s) in the school or Board;

Any act considered by the principal to be a serious violation of the Board or School Code of Conduct;

Any act considered by the principal to be significantly injurious to the moral tone of the school and/or to the physical or mental well-being of others.

NOTE: In accordance with the Police and School Response Protocol, Police will be contacted for but not limited to the above noted infractions. Consequences resulting from criminal charges related to school incidents are independent of those imposed under the Education Act.